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zygomatic bone

zygomatic bone

1 8.0
A bone that forms the cheek and part of the eye socket
  • noun
  • /ˌzaɪɡəˈmætɪk boʊn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hueso cigomático
  • We're going to put this on the center of the cheeks, on the zygomatic bone right there.

Examples

  • The doctor explained that the zygomatic bone supports the structure of the face.

  • Injuries to the zygomatic bone can lead to visible changes in facial appearance.

  • Surgeons carefully repaired the fractured zygomatic bone during the operation.

Synonyms

cheekbone
vszygomatic bone
48 2.5

A bone below the eye that makes the side of the face stand out

is also part of the orbit beneath the eye
malar bone
vszygomatic bone
  • Specialized
1 7.6

A bone that forms the cheek below the eye

is also part of the orbit beneath the eye
zygomatic
vszygomatic bone
  • Specialized
1 9.8

A bone that forms the cheek below and beside the eye

is also part of the orbit beneath the eye
malar
vszygomatic bone
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A bone under the eye that makes the cheek stand out

is the full bone that forms cheek prominence and the orbit
os zygomaticum
vszygomatic bone
  • Specialized
9.8

A bone under the eye that forms the cheek

is the same structure that also forms part of the orbit
jugal bone
vszygomatic bone
  • Specialized
9.1

A bone under the eye that makes the cheek stick out

is the main bone making the cheek prominence and part of the orbit

Surface Forms

Morphology

zygomatic + bone

The phrase is fully compositional: 'zygomatic' identifies a specific facial/cheek bone (location/identity) and 'bone' names its lexical category, so the combined phrase simply denotes that specific bone. Although medically technical, a B1 learner who knows both constituent meanings can directly derive the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Zygomatic bone comes from an old Greek word meaning 'yoke' or 'bridge'. The bone makes an arch like a small bridge across the cheek under the eye, so the name now means the cheekbone.